Diet failed? The supermarket gets the blame
So, January… Did you quickly eat all the crisps as a precaution, so there wouldn’t be too many temptations left in the house? Planning to start the year healthy and refreshed after waking up from your December cheese coma? Then you may have browsed the supermarket with a list full of healthy things, only to lose track somewhere in front of the muesli aisle. Because what’s the deal? The supermarket is the reason many people fail to stick to a diet…
AD reports that research by the Consumers’ Association indicates that the supermarket is often blamed when people fail to lose weight. According to a survey, 91% of Dutch people are currently working on eating more healthily, either to lose weight or become fitter. Yes, those cheese boards with red wine and croquette letters certainly took their toll. And oh yes, months of seeking comfort in banana bread and rum and cola… But according to many respondents, the supermarket isn’t exactly helping them keep their good resolutions. What’s going on?
Confusion
More than half of the consumers surveyed feel that the supermarket’s selection is too unhealthy because of, for example, excessive amounts of sugar and salt, and they don’t really know what to do about it. Even more of them, 67%, say that they find the unhealthy temptations too great, and good intentions often fall by the wayside because of a lack of clarity. Tiny print, misleading claims, an irresistible craving for espresso martini pancakes; it’s difficult. Almost half of the people who participated in the research also think that labels don’t tell the whole truth, or they don’t believe everything written on them.
Traffic light
To make all this easier for consumers, an independent food-choice logo called Nutri-Score has been developed. It uses colours ranging from green to red and the letters A–E, from healthiest to worst for you. This should make it possible to make choices at a glance, but the tricky thing is that supermarkets are not required to use this ‘quality label’. So if your supermarket doesn’t opt for it, you may still be left relying on yourself, your own judgement and your time (because make sure to set aside an extra half hour to read all that tiny print).
It comes at a cost
Another point that many people see as an obstacle on the road to a healthier lifestyle? The cost. 58% of the consumers surveyed say that they consider healthy food more expensive than less healthy choices. The Consumers’ Association therefore recommends buying seasonal fruit and vegetables to put affordable, healthy meals on the table. And don’t forget the freezer aisle! With, for example, these tips for frozen vegetables, you can eat well and save money.
Read also:
- 7 tips for the best grilled vegetables (+ extra frozen vegetable tips!)
- Is a toasted cheese sandwich just as healthy as a cheese sandwich?
- 6 healthy food hacks: deliciously easy, and still good for you
Source: AD, Consumers’ Association, Image above article: Jumbo
